GENIUS Act: The Head Of Tether Celebrates A Decisive Turning Point For Crypto Regulation

Tether breaks records by billions. However, a grain of sand disrupts this well-oiled machine: regulation. Behind the 160 billion USDT in circulation, a weak spot remains. Facing the GENIUS Act, the latest cornerstone of the American legislative arsenal, the stablecoin giant must adjust its approach. Time for catch-ups, domestic ambitions, and a strategic turn ahead.

White House and crypto: Tether finally plays at home

A few hours after the signing of the GENIUS Act, Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether, savored this moment as a rebirth. “We are very proud to be here and to be directly mentioned by the president, as it reflects all the great work done by our team over the past few years“, he declared from the White House (source).

This is no small matter. Once criticized by regulators, Tether is now celebrating a grand rehabilitation. Ardoino continues with volleys: audits, compliance, transparency… The man even promises a 100% American stablecoin, specially designed for institutions. No more Caribbean haze, welcome to America with its lobbies and big four.

In this now viral tweet, dated July 18, he wrote: “Now that President Trump has led the United States to adopt digital assets, we believe we can multiply our impact and establish the global dominance of the dollar“.

This sets the scene.

Two stablecoins for two Americas: USDT navigates between strategy and survival

Facing the GENIUS Act, Ardoino opts for a double blade: USDT on one side, a domestic version of the stablecoin on the other. The USDT will continue to exist via a “foreign issuer pathway,” aimed notably at expatriates and cross-border transfers. The new token targets Wall Street, with a promise: efficiency and full compliance.

Institutions are used to super efficient markets, and they count every basis point; that is why we must design something suited to this new market.

Paolo Ardoino – Source: CoinDesk

Meanwhile, Circle, Tether’s major rival, displays calculated calm: “The GENIUS Act truly codifies in law the way Circle does business. We have always been trustworthy, transparent; we have been subject to public audits for five years.”

The battle between Circle and Tether intensifies, each holding on to its niche. One claims historic compliance; the other bets on a swift, media-driven repositioning. Ardoino must therefore convince quickly, effectively, and powerfully.

Crypto under pressure: Tether, Bitcoin, and SMEs on a tightrope

Tether’s entry into the American regulatory fold will not please everyone. While the impact on Bitcoin could be massive, the collateral effects on crypto market stability remain to be watched.

Some significant figures:

• USDT weighs 161 billion dollars: it is the largest stablecoin in the world;
• 500 million users have already adopted it, according to Ardoino;
• Circle has had five years of regular public audits, compared to zero for Tether… for now;
• Coinbase invested 25 million dollars in Fairshake to push crypto bills in Congress.

With this new legislation, Tether could strengthen Bitcoin’s liquidity. More USDT on American crypto exchanges means more buying, more volume, more volatility. But beware of boomerang effects: liquidity mismatches, increased leverage, concentration of risks.

And what about crypto SMEs? They will have to juggle transparency, compliance, and compliance costs. Giants like Tether can absorb the impact. Smaller players, however, risk buckling under regulatory weight. Tether opens a breach. But everyone must be able to cross it.

Tether’s American pivot impresses. Yet, thousands of kilometers away, a very different war is underway. In Europe, Ardoino strongly opposes the MiCA regulation. He deems its requirements “dangerous” for banks and contrary to financial freedom. As a result, several platforms are removing USDT from the European market. The future of the king stablecoin now seems torn between two continents.